Fact file

/ 01 March 2010

Winter of discontent

Winter of discontent

As spring approaches, the spectre of snow storms and lost working days should be nothing more than a distant, chilly memory, but the financial costs will be more long term

Stormy weather

• Percentage of people who didn’t make it into work due to snow in January
  20%
• Cost per day to UK economy
  £1.2bn
• Working hours lost during one week in January 2010
  124m
• Total rainfall for 2009
  65cm
• Average temperature January 2010
  2.5oC

Jobs squeeze

• Average number of applications per job vacancy
  120
• Percentage of UK children (age 5-8) with a part time job
  9%
• Percentage with a paper round
  43%
• Percentage who receive pocket money
  38%
• Average weekly income for children
  £26.60

Perks count

• Percentage of British workers who enjoy free tea or coffee at work
  57%
• Percentage whose employers cut back on free refreshments in 2009
  25%
• Percentage who say small perks boost morale
  32%
• Percentage who describe their staff perks as ‘poor’
  43%

Sources: Citrix, FSB, Met Office, Andrew Leaper, Halifax, Studentgems.co.uk, uswitchforbusiness.com